Arepas with Carnitas and Sweet Potato

Just warning you in advance that you’re about to make a hot arepa mess and your life will never be the same.

These are a really big deal in my life right now.

Arepas! Have you had them? Let’s talk about what they are.

Okay, these gems are South American pockets of fried cornmeal-like dough (harina precocida if you want to get technical) and they’re stuffed with every possible good thing you could ever want stuffed in a pocket of fried cornmeal-like dough.

Dream with me for a minute here. Slow cooked carnitas. Chipotle chicken. Shredded beef. Grilled sweet potatoes. Slices of avocado and tomato and other vegetables that I can’t think of right now because THE MEATS. So distracted by the meats. Chimichurris and aiolis galore. Halloumi (except that one little detail that I’ve never actually made halloumi, but this idea is just coming to me right now and I sense that it would be so epic). Black beans. Fried plantains. Pickled red onion. Magic Green Sauce, but I mean, obviously.

HOW TO MAKE OUR AREPAS (50 SEC):

I first jumped on the arepa train when my friend Melissa moved to Minneapolis and introduced me to Hola Arepa which is an arepa hot spot here in our little city. Funny (or sad? can’t think about it too much) that sometimes it takes someone else moving into your area to really show you what you’ve been missing out on. Like I’ve lived here for… EVER? and never really knew about this place? WHAT? Major heartbreak. Sometimes I just get so zoned in on the sushi takeout situation that I forget about other foods.

If you live in Minneapolis, spare yourself this heartbreak and pls run to Hola Arepa and get the Carnitas and Sweet Potato Arepa with yucca fries and spicy green aioli. Go now. Tonight. This is not a drill.

Truth: anytime you come across a recipe that requires just *ONE* special ingredient, it can seem daunting and overwhelming and like you can’t even do it because WHAT IS THAT INGREDIENT.

But another truth: friends do not let friends miss out on food this good, so I’m gonna push you.

You’re going to need just ONE new ingredient. It’s called harina precocida or in more familiar terms, pre-cooked cornmeal.

I am generally not super pumped about buying food things online, but in this case I make an exception because overloaded carnitas sweet potato lightly fried arepas and straight-to-my-front-door 48 hour delivery – these are not things I take lightly. I buy this harina precocida on Amazon. For $8, you get a big bag of this stuff that makes you many arepas for many days, and it ships right to your front door in two days because Amazon loves us like that. You could also drive to a grocery store that specializes in Central or South America foods. But honestly. God bless Amazon Prime.

Here’s what the arepa flour / precooked cornmeal looks like:

And here’s the sweet potatoes after you saute them and before you stuff them in the arepas with all your other toppings to the point where they become unrecognizable in the delicious mess:

And here’s where you form the dough into little circles and pan fry them:

And here’s where the delicious arepa mess makes its way to your hungry mouth.

sweet potatoes, sliced into thin pieces and sautéed in olive oil and salt

red onions (pickled? yum)

Cotija cheese

Instructions

Mix the precooked cornmeal and the salt. Add the water and whisk remove any lumps, then stir until combined. Let the mixture rest for 5-10 minutes.

Using your hands, divide the dough into 8 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and flatten in gently to create a disk, about 1 inch thick (see pictures).

Heat a thin layer of oil (about ¼ inch deep) in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the arepas and fry for about 6 minutes on both sides. The arepas should get a dry fried exterior without getting overly brown. Set on paper towels to drain and cool.

Cut the arepas in half and stuff with your fillings!

Notes

Precooked cornmeal is also called arepa flour or harina precocida or masarepa. I buy this kind on Amazon. This is not the same as masa harina which is uncooked. This version is COOKED which means you don't need to bake it all the way through in the same way as you would with masa harina. I am not sure how substitutions would work - but from what I've read, the arepa flour really does get a better texture both inside and outside. #worthit

The texture of these is a little corn-cakey, so if the insides are a little sticky that's okay and good.

3.5.3208

*Note: I have studied arepa recipes a little bit to make sure I’m generally going in the right direction here, but as usual, I claim no authority or authenticity on my arepa skills other than THESE ARE DELICIOUS. If you want to share how YOU make arepas, I’d love to hear. Please leave a comment!

85 Comments (page 1)

as a Venezuelan who has been reading POY for a while now i feel super honored to see arepas in here! <3 this is my everyday breakfast -a lighter version though- It's never too late to jump on the arepa's train! 😀 Cheers!

Oh well, arepas are infinite things! you can make arepas dough with lots of different flavour (cilantro, basil, black beans, chili pepper), you can also add chia, oats or flax seeds to it to make it more toasty and crunchy <3 the lighter version has a lot to do to the filling though; for everyday arepas you can fill it with scrambled eggs or avocado and cheese or shredded chicken with avocado, or, if youre feeling a little creative, you can fill it with cheese and tajadas (wich are made with fried ripe plantains) POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS WITH AREPAS! 😀

I love arepas with carrot, Blend a carrot with the water that you’ll mix with the corn flour (best is PAN).
For breakfast i love avocado and straight egg.
Also like fried plantains in it (not for diets.
but truly, arepas, avocado and the extra of your preference will add a pinch of “yumminess” to your tummy

Oh man, I think you would love them. Also not if but when you and Naomi make it to Minneapolis (it’s my dream to have you guys teach a workshop together in our studio), we will take you out to Hola Arepa. 😉

So funny to see that you posted this today! I literally just bought arepas at Whole Foods this weekend to try. Definitely want to try this recipe but with some veggie meat instead!http://www.sprinklesandsaturdays.com

I rarely comment on blogs but OMG – THANK YOU for posting this recipe. Hola Arepa is a fav restaurant here in Minneapolis and the fact that I could possibly make arepas for days at home is the best thing ever!

yes please. yes please to all of those on your counter that you were making. all. of. them. I can’t think of a thing right now that doesn’t sound good stuffed into one of these beauties. The possibilities are endless….

OMG I LOVE YOU FOR THIS. I went to Hola Arepa with Melissa and some other bloggers when I was in town for your workshop, and it was sooooo good. I’m pretty sure I got the carnitas/sweet potato one you’re talking about. LIFE CHANGING. Oh my god. I can’t wait to make this at home. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

Likewise! As Venezuelan with a deep love for food, I’m really honored whilst reading at this post! (I’ve been also following POY for a while now)
Another option to try with Arepas: fill it with octopus cooked in vinegar and a soft white cheese… It’s delicious!
Cheers and keep posting good recipes!

Likewise! As Venezuelan and a food lover, I feel also honored whilst reading at this post! I’ve been following POY for a while and recipes are really great!
Another option with Arepas; fill it with octopus cooked in vinegar and a soft white cheese, the outcome is amazing!
Chhers and keep posting good recipes!

I LOVE arepas!! If you’re in DC, find the Arepazone food truck, or better yet, head to Union Market to feast on these amazing little creations. SO excited you shared a recipe Lindsay! Can’t wait to try them 🙂

I’m Venezuelan and I’m so excited that arepas are featured on your blog! They’re the absolute best and I want EVERYONE to know about them. Also they’re so versatile and perfect for every meal. Breakfast? Arepas with scrambled eggs, avocado and bacon. Lunch? Ham and cheese arepas. Dinner? Arepas with beans, pulled pork and some fried plantains. All the yums. Also, eggs benedict (my fav) with arepas as the base? SO good.

Come on now, Lindsay. Now you’ve got this pregnant mama thinking about driving cross town at 9:15 p.m. for an arepa.
In your research, did you stumble across any ideas for sauce alternatives beyond the magic green sauce?? I didn’t get a confident answer on if fresh basil exists in Hola Arepa’s sauce, and I felt a little itchy after trying it…would love to try this at home with a few alternatives.

You speak to my sooooouull. Finally just got my better half out to Hola’s b-day party yesterday, and luckily he agrees we will be back often! Because yaaasss fried arepa dough. Now we can tide ourselves over between visits–woohoo!

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